Empire of the Suns predicts an NBA champion, MVP, Rookie of the Year and more

Holy, moly. The 2026-27 NBA season is here.

LeBron James is literally above us as a helicopter commuter to Philadelphia. Kawhi Leonard has aspirations — ha, ha — of bringing Toronto another championship. The Knicks actually did the deal last season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder still loom as the model franchise despite getting tripped up last season, while Victor Wembanyama’s NBA Finals failure is easy motivation to see him make another leap.

As per tradition, yours truly and Empire of the Suns co-host Kellan Olson, whose job also entails covering the Phoenix Suns, are here to be right or wrong with our season predictions for champion, MVP, Sixth Man of the Year and all the usual other deals.

Last season, we hit on some of the obvious things like Cooper Flagg’s Rookie of the Year honor and whiffed on others — though Kellan did give the Knicks the Eastern Conference title. Rookie of the year is less obvious this season. Everything feels like a crapshoot after picking Wembanyama to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Here’s what we’re predicting for 2026-27:

Kellan Olson’s 2026-27 NBA season predictions

Most Valuable Player: Victor Wembanyama, Spurs

Rookie of the Year: Darryn Peterson, Jazz

Sixth Man of the Year: Ajay Mitchell, Thunder

Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, Spurs

Most Improved Player: Ty Jerome, Grizzlies

Coach of the Year: Rick Carlisle, Pacers

Western Conference Finals: Thunder over Spurs

Eastern Conference Finals: Pacers over Raptors

Finals: Thunder over Pacers

Kevin Zimmerman’s 2026-27 NBA season predictions

Most Valuable Player: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets

Rookie of the Year: Darryn Peterson, Jazz

Sixth Man of the Year: DeMar DeRozan, Nuggets

Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, Spurs

Most Improved Player: Dylan Harper, Spurs

Coach of the Year: David Adelman, Nuggets

Western Conference Finals: Thunder over Nuggets

Eastern Conference Finals: Raptors over 76ers

Finals: Thunder over Raptors

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